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Olivia Tremor Control's Bill Doss dead at 43

Bill Doss, founding member of Athens band the Olivia Tremor Control, died Monday.

Athens-Clarke County coroner Sonny Wilson confirmed that Doss, of 255 Best Drive in Athens, passed away, but could offer no further details as an investigation is ongoing.

No evidence of foul play or suicide is evident and Doss had no history of medical problems, Wilson said.

An autopsy was performed Tuesday at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation State Crime Lab in Atlanta, but no immediate results were avaialble.

“It’s going to be one of those cases that could take three to four months with all the tests they have to run,” Wilson said.

Vague reports of Doss’ death circled through social media Monday and Tuesday. The band’s Web site confirmed Doss’ passing with the statement: “We are devastated by the loss of our brother Bill Doss. We are at a loss for words.”

Doss was the co-founder of the Olivia Tremor Control along with Will Hart and Jeff Mangum. They started the band in Louisiana before relocating to Athens in the early 1990s. Doss was also a prominent member of the Elephant 6 recording company, a collective of bands sharing a love of psychedelic and classic pop sounds.

After releasing widely acclaimed records “Dusk at Cubist Castle” and “Black Foliage,” the band broke up in 2000, with Doss forming new band Sunshine Fix. The Olivia Tremor Control reformed temporarily in 2005 for the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival, and started recording and playing more frequently in recent years. Just last week, the band played Team Clermont’s Summer Showcase at the Georgia Theatre.

According to a Bill Doss wikipedia page, the musician was 43 years old at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife, Amy Hairston Doss.

“Bill was incredibly inspiring to me through his music and friendship,” said Andrew Rieger of Elf Power, an Athens-based Elephant 6 affiliated band.

“He wrote so many great songs,” Rieger said. “‘Jumping Fences’ is in my opinion one of the greatest pop songs of all time.”

John Fernandes grew up with Doss in Louisiana and played in Olivia Tremor Control.

“He was an incredible songwriter and teacher,” said Fernandes.

“When he asked me to join (the band) in (1993), he taught me how to play bass. He was the most beautiful spirit.”

Fernandes said that Doss was excited about recording and performing again with his old band.

“It’s just such a shock,” Fernandes said of his friend’s death. “It’s such a tragedy.”